Now in its fourth edition, this textbook gives a clear and concise account of the government and politics of democratic states, comprehensively updated with recent developments. It provides an ideal guide for undergraduate students who want to understand how and why democratic systems differ between countries and how they are changing in the modern world. It is written and structured in an easy to follow style, enabling students to gain a thorough understanding of the explanations behind complex ideas and theories. The 'Briefings' and 'Controversies' sections give life to the analyses with illustrations drawn from around the globe, whilst its 'Key Term' entries provide students with a route through the concepts of political science. The fourth edition has been fully revised to reflect recent changes in political attitudes and behaviour, voting, parties, party systems and ideologies. The final chapter addresses the future of democratic states facing with these changes and challenges, by examining democratic crisis, populism and post-democracy.
Author(s): Kenneth Newton, Jan W. van Deth
Edition: 4
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 452
Cover
Front Matter
Introduction
Part I. The State: Origins and Development
1. The Development of the Modern State
2. States and Democracy
3. Democratic Change
Part II. The Polity. Structures and Institutions
4. Constitutions
5. Presidential and Parliamentary Government
6. Multi-Level Government. International, National and Subnational
7. Policy Making and Legislating. Executives and Legislatures
8. Implementation. The Public Bureaucracy
Part III. Citizens, Elites and Interest Mediation
9. Political Attitudes and Behaviour
10. Pressure Groups and Social Movements
11. The Media
12. Voters and Elections
13. Party Government
Part IV. Policies and Performance
14. Political Ideologies
15. Policy Making
16. Public Spending and Public Policies
17. The Future of the Democratic State
Postscript. How and What to Compare
Glossary of Key Terms
Index
